Mavs pay a visit to Clippers
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04/12/2010 -
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Dallas Mavericks have a pair of games left to stake
their claim to the second seed in the Western Conference. Tonight the
Southwest Division champs visit Staples Center to take on the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Mavs are coming off a rather easy 126-108 win over Sacramento on Saturday.
Dirk Nowitzki scored 22 of his 39 points in the third quarter and Jason Kidd
recorded a triple-double in that one, as Dallas routed the Kings.
Nowitzki made 13-of-13 free throws to extend his free throw streak to 68,
while Kidd ended with 13 assists, 11 points and 10 rebounds to help Dallas win
its third straight overall.
"I feel great," Nowitzki said. "I'm just really ready for a hopefully fun and
long playoff run."
Jason Terry added 25 points off the bench for the Mavericks, who are in sole
possession of the second spot in the West, a game ahead of Denver, Utah and
Phoenix. The Southwest kings are already assured of finishing no worse than
fourth in the West.
After tonight's game, Dallas will finish the regular season at home vs. San
Antonio on Wednesday.
The Clips, meanwhile, are coming off a hard-fought win over Pacific Division
rival Golden State on Saturday. Chris Kaman logged 27 points and 10 rebounds
and Steve Novak hit a key three-pointer down the stretch in that one to push
the Clippers to a 107-104 victory.
Baron Davis scored 21 points before leaving the game in the third quarter with
a sprained right wrist, while Rasual Butler had 15 points and eight boards for
Los Angeles, which snapped a seven-game losing streak.
"It was good to get the monkey off our back," Clippers interim head coach Kim
Hughes said. "We had a super effort by our bigs."
The Mavs have won five straight games over the Clips. who will finish their
season against their co-tenants at Staples Center, the LA Lakers, on
Wednesday.
<< Knicks and Wizards clash at MSG
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of teams winding down the season get together
tonight in the Big Apple, where the New York Knicks will host the Washington
Wizards at Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks have lost three in a row and seven of nine game
<< Magic shoot for 5th straight win in Indy vs. Pacers
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Orlando Magic have already locked down the No. 2 seed
in the East and are still waiting to see who their first-round opponent will
be in the upcoming playoffs. Tonight the Magic will shoot for their fifth
straight win aga
<< Playoff-bound Heat close out road sked in Philly vs. Sixers
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With two games left on the regular season schedule, the
Miami Heat can still capture the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. Miami
will need some help around the league, however, as it closes out its road
schedule tonight a
<< Lightning clean house: Tocchet and Lawton fired
Tampa, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Tampa Bay Lightning have fired head coach
Rick Tocchet and general manager Brian Lawton.
More to follow.
<< Lightning fire Tocchet, Lawton after poor season
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -The Tampa Bay Lightning have fired coach Rick Tocchet and general manager Brian Lawton after missing the playoffs for the third straight year.Team owner Jeff Vinik made the announcement Monday.The search for a new GM will begin imm
Playoff-bound Blazers, Thunder clash in Rose City >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A playoff atmosphere is expected tonight in Portland when
the Trail Blazers welcome fellow Western Conference contender Oklahoma City to
the Rose Garden.
Aiming for the franchise's first 50-win season since finishi
Kings welcome Rockets to ARCO Arena >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of teams headed for an early vacation match up in
California's capital tonight when the Sacramento Kings welcome the Houston
Rockets to ARCO Arena.
The Rockets, despite missing All-Star center Yao Ming for
Nuggets still alive for No. 2 seed; host Grizzlies >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With just two games left in the regular season the Denver
Nuggets have plenty to play for. The Northwest Division crown and the second
seed in the Western Conference playoff standings are still at stake as Denver
gets re
Spurs aim for 12th straight win vs. T'Wolves >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Still grappling for playoff position in the tight Western
Conference, the San Antonio Spurs shoot for their 12th straight win over the
woeful Minnesota Timberwolves in their regular season finale at the AT&T
Cen
Reeling Raptors try and keep hope alive against Pistons >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Losers of five in a row, the Toronto Raptors have only
themselves to blame on possibly missing out on a playoff berth. Tonight
they'll try to regroup with a visit to the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of
Auburn Hills.
Toro
Problem with Bears?
Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.
"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."
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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.
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